THE HEADLINES::
- Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing says, his country will not allow its territory to be used against India’s security interests.
- India and US have finalised most elements of first phase of Bilateral Trade Agreement, says Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
- Uttarakhand’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – Valley of Flowers opened to tourists.
- 22 rowers included in TOPS development group ahead of Asian Games 2026.
- In Hockey, India register dominant 4-1 win over Korea in Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup.
<><><>
Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing has assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Myanmarese territory will not be allowed to be used against India’s security interests. The two leaders held wide-ranging talks to boost bilateral ties in trade, defence, energy, and connectivity in New Delhi yesterday. Mr Aung Hlaing is on a five-day visit to India. Briefing media after the talks, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, President of Myanmar reiterated the assurance that Myanmar’s territory will not be permitted to be used against India’s security interests. Mr Misri said, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and both sides underscored the importance of preventing the misuse of sovereign territory for activities “inimical” to their security interests.
The Foreign Secretary said that both sides expressed interest in forging closer cooperation, particularly in areas of trade and investment, health, education, energy, and critical technologies like artificial intelligence.
The Myanmarese leader accompanied by a high-level delegation will travel to Mumbai today for business and industry interactions and site visits.
<><><>
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said India and the United States have finalised most elements of the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement, and negotiations are now focused on a few minor issues, “commas and full stops”. We have a report:
“Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that the team from United States is in New Delhi to hold talks on finalising the first phase of Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The talks will take place in New Delhi from today and it will last till Thursday. India’s chief negotiator is Darpan Jain, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, while the US team is led by its chief negotiator Brendan Lynch. On 3rd of February, both sides announced the framework for the first phase of the BTA. The two sides are proposed to finalise the details of the interim agreement and take forward the negotiations under the broader BTA on multiple areas, such as market access, non-tariff measures, customs and trade facilitation and investment promotion. CHIRAG JHA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
<><><>
BJP National President Nitin Nabin held a meeting with senior party office bearers and workers in New Delhi yesterday. Talking to media, Party MP and Spokesperson Dr. Sambit Patra shared key details highlighting discussions on the Narendra Modi Government’s 12 years of service, organisational expansion, and future initiatives aimed at broadening the party’s outreach across various sections of society. He said that the government is completing 12 years in office, and everyone has witnessed how India has progressed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with advancement taking place across every sector. Mr Patra said, today, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the NDA have been given the opportunity to serve in government in 22 states.
<><><>
India has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by the principles of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last 12 years. During this period, the Modi government carried out many flagship initiatives for the welfare and empowerment of the poor, farmers, women and youth. Akashvani News brings you a special feature on the Government’s efforts over the last 12 years across key sectors. Today, we focus on the measures taken by the government towards the empowerment of Women.
“Over the past twelve years, women empowerment in India has witnessed a transformative shift, driven by sustained government efforts to enhance access to healthcare, education, livelihood opportunities, financial inclusion, and leadership roles. The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, launched in 2015, has enabled millions of women to access collateral-free loans to start and expand their businesses. Under the scheme, loans worth more than 40 lakh crore rupees had been disbursed to beneficiaries by March this year, of them, around 17 lakh crore rupees were given to women. Talking to Akashvani News, Vanishri from Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, said that the scheme has motivated her to become an entrepreneur.
The flagship schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and the Womaniya initiative have collectively strengthened women’s access to banking, savings, and entrepreneurial platforms. Under the Jan Dhan Yojana, a total of over 58 crore accounts have been opened till date and out of these, around 33 crore Jan-Dhan accounts belong to women. Talking to Akashvani News, a resident of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, Saroj Bala, said that after opening the Jan Dhan account, the full benefits of government schemes are now directly credited to her bank account.
Another key initiative is the Lakhpati Didi programme, which focuses on helping women to achieve sustainable annual incomes of at least one lakh rupees. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme has contributed to improving the national Sex Ratio at Birth from 918 in 2014-15 to 929 in 2024-25. With sustained policy support and innovative programmes, women are playing a pivotal role in shaping a self-reliant and inclusive economy. Anand Kumar, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
<><><>
For quick news updates, round the clock, follow us on our X handle @airnewsalerts. And for details of stories and more, log on to our website <<www.newsonair.gov.in>> and download News On Air App.
<><><>
In Uttarakhand, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valley of Flowers, located in Chamoli district has been opened to tourists. The Forest Department has appealed to visitors to cooperate in the conservation of the valley’s rich biodiversity and rare plant species. Valley of Flowers is currently home to more than 300 species of flowers and several rare varieties of flora. Forest Range Officer Chetna Kandpal said that the valley will remain open until October 31.
<><><>
Five newly appointed Supreme Court judges will take oath today. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will administer the oath of office to the judges. President Droupadi Murmu, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, has appointed five new judges to the Supreme Court.
<><><>
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has activated the portal for verification of marks and re-evaluation for students. In a social media post, the board informed that the verification and re-evaluation portal is live now. CBSE has advised students to watch the video carefully for step-by-step instructions on how to apply for Verification of Marks and re-evaluation.
<><><>
As many as 22 rowers have been inducted into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Development Group ahead of the 2026 Asian Games. Details from our Correspondent:
“A total of 22 rowers are now a part of the TOPS Development group across six boats. Sports Ministry said that the induction of these rowers is another effort to build sustainable bench strength across several boat categories rather than focusing only on individual medal prospects. The crew will now prepare for major international competitions featuring Rowing, including the Asian Games and World Cup circuit. Among those inducted are Paris 2024 Olympian Balraj Panwar, Asian Games 2022 silver medalist Arvind Singh, and Asian Games 2022 double medalist Jaswinder Singh. Akshit Vedyan, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
<><><>
In Hockey, India registered a commanding 4-1 victory over Korea in their third Pool A match of the Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup in Kakamigahara, Japan.Captain Ketan Kushwaha led from the front with a brace, scoring in the third and 36th minutes. Varinder Singh added another goal in the fifth minute, while Shahrukh Ali sealed the win with a powerful strike in the 54th minute. Korea’s lone goal came through captain Yun Jaehyeok in the 21st minute.
With the win, India moved level on six points with Korea and Japan in Pool A. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals.
India will take on Chinese Taipei in their final pool match tomorrow.
<><><>
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall over Interior Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal today. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan and West Madhya Pradesh can experience thundersquall with wind speed reaching 50 to 60 kmph.
In Keralam, ten of the 14 districts are under yellow alert today. More from our Correspondent:
“Yellow alert indicating isolated heavy rainfall has been issued in ten districts of Keralam today. Rainfall is likely to intensify over the next three days. Most observatories in Kerala have recorded around 5 mm of rainfall since 4 a.m. today. In Lakshadweep, 15 mm of rainfall has been reported from Kavaratti, Agatti, and Amini today. Smithy M Palluruthy, Akashvani News, Thiruvananthapuram.”
<><><>
TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- Heads are likely to roll in the Central Board of Secondary Education as the Education Ministry has initiated an internal crackdown, over irregularities in the “On Screen Marking” system tender, reports The Times of India in its top story.
- The Supreme Court has rejected the plea to computer-based NEET re-exam on June 21, writes The Tribune.
- For the first time, more than 10,000 girls have cleared JEE Advanced 2026, the gateway to IITs and premier engineering institutes, and with one in four girl candidates clearing the exam, this also marks a new record, writes The Indian Express.
- Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to India is widely covered on the front pages of dailies. “Myanmar vows its terrotory won’t be used to threaten India during PM meet”, headlines The Pioneer. Security tops India-Myanmar dialogue agenda, writes Hindustan Times.
- Monsoon misses 1 June onset date in Kerala, and is now likely in 2 to 3 days, reports The Statesman.
- The Pioneer quotes a report that reveals, “Indian employees take fewer annual leaves than their peers in Asia-Pacific markets, with only 17.2% Indian workes using 100% of their leave.”
- Dailies have paid tributes to Indian cinema’s renowned playback singer, Suman Kalyanpur, who died on Sunday. “The silken voice of Hindi cinema that touched hearts falls silent,” headlines The Hindu.
- Finally, the latest National Family Health Survey reveals that Indian women using the internet has doubled to 64% in 4 years. Among men it increased from 51.2% to 80.5%, reports The Times of India.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing says, his country will not allow its territory to be used against India’s security interests.
- India and US have finalised most elements of first phase of Bilateral Trade Agreement, says Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
- Uttarakhand’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – Valley of Flowers opened to tourists.
- 22 rowers included in TOPS development group ahead of Asian Games 2026.
- In Hockey, India register dominant 4-1 win over Korea in Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup.
<><><>
For details of these stories and more, log on to our website www.newsonair.gov.in and News On Air App.
<><><>
